Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Park is located in the south central Brushy Mountains and offers big views for its elevation and location. This park is relatively unknown and is in a region where there are few public recreational opportunities. Fortunately, Alexander County opened this park in 2012 for hiking, climbing, and camping. When you arrive it is immediately obvious why this park is popular with climbers. The old rock quarry is a fantastic backdrop for the parking area, with vertical walls rising more than 80 feet.

There are 5+ miles of trails in the park and they are relatively easy and present multiple loop opportunities with great views. The Vertical Mile Challenge Trail has a fun 350-foot climb up an open granite face similar to the climb in Stone Mountain State Park without the stairs to assist. After you reach the broad summit of the mountain the upper loop of the Hollow Brook Trail takes you by two fantastic views of the Brushy Mountains and if you’re lucky, Grandfather Mountain. You’ll also get to follow the rim of the quarry wall and possibly get to see some climbers in action. This is a great little park with excellent views that all types of hikers can experience.

Mile 0.6 – The Vertical Mile Challenge Trail turns left leaving the forest behind as it climbs up bare granite rock. Currently cones guide the way in addition to infrequent blazes and signs. You will climb ~350 feet in 0.3-mile. This is a steep, exposed section with no assistance and could be dangerous if the rock is wet or icy. (If conditions are bad the alternative is taking the Grindstone Trail at mile 0.5 to reach the Hollow Brook Trail.) As you climb you will have views to the south of the rolling hills of the Yadkin Valley.

Mile 0.9 – The trail turns left and reenters the forest leaving the rock face behind.

Mile 1.6 – After swinging around the north side of the mountain the trail crosses a flat granite face beside the true summit. From here you have wide open views northwest of the largest peaks in the Brushy Mountains. Dead center with the communications tower is Pores Knob, the highest peak in the range at 2,660 feet. The Brushy Mountains continue northeast towards Wilkesboro. On the far left to the west you can see Grandfather Mountain on a clear day.

Mile 2.8 – Continue straight through a four-way intersection with the Grindstone Trail (green blaze) on the left and the Prison Camp Trail (orange blaze) on the right.

Mile 3.2 – Hollow Brook Trail ends at the Buzzard Loop (purple blaze) at the beginning of the quarry overlook section. The loop splits here, take the left side of the loop which follows the wire fence at the edge of the cliffs. You’ll pass by an overlook of the parking lot before closing the short loop.